Children admit vandalizing vacant home

Published: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 12:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 12:43 p.m.

Authorities say a group of young children broke into a vacant home Thursday and did thousands of dollars in damage by destroying interior walls, mirrors and windows.

The four youngsters, ages 11 to 14, told Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies they crawled in through a window of the home in the 2200 block of Southeast 68th Street and soon began breaking things inside, according to reports.

A neighbor said he heard loud banging coming from the home but thought it was due to repairs. He eventually decided to check out the noise and as he walked up to the house, a pole come flying out of a window. He saw the children leave the house and ride away on bicycles. The man followed the four and saw them enter a nearby yard, according to reports.

No charges were immediately filed as officers were waiting to speak with the owner of the house, who could not be reached Thursday.

<p>Authorities say a group of young children broke into a vacant home Thursday and did thousands of dollars in damage by destroying interior walls, mirrors and windows.</p><p>The four youngsters, ages 11 to 14, told Marion County Sheriff's Office deputies they crawled in through a window of the home in the 2200 block of Southeast 68th Street and soon began breaking things inside, according to reports.</p><p>Deputies found large portions of drywall ripped out, holes punched into the ceiling, toilet fixtures and bathroom mirrors broken, light fixtures broken and several windows broken out. Damages were estimated at $10,000, reports state.</p><p>A neighbor said he heard loud banging coming from the home but thought it was due to repairs. He eventually decided to check out the noise and as he walked up to the house, a pole come flying out of a window. He saw the children leave the house and ride away on bicycles. The man followed the four and saw them enter a nearby yard, according to reports.</p><p>No charges were immediately filed as officers were waiting to speak with the owner of the house, who could not be reached Thursday.</p><p><i>- Carlos E. Medina</i></p>